What is a business rates valuation?
Every 3 years the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) updates the rateable values of over 2 million commercial properties in England and Wales. This process reflects changes in the market and is known as a revaluation. The next revaluation will come into effect on 1 April 2026.
Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2026 revaluation, that date is 1 April 2024. Your rateable value isn’t the same as the rent you are paying on your property.
We use these rateable values to calculate business rates bills.
At a revaluation, business rates bills may increase, decrease or stay the same. A rise in your rateable value does not necessarily mean your business rates bill will increase by a similar amount.
Contacting the Valuation Office Agency
As your local council, we are responsible for anything to do with your business rates bill, including adding any relief you might be eligible for.
The VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. If you have any questions about your rateable value, please contact the VOA.
Find the rateable value of a property
You can view your property’s current rateable value through the VOA’s find a business rates valuation service on GOV.UK.
Find a business rates valuation on GOV.UK
You can use this service to see the details the VOA holds for your property and compare your property’s rateable value with similar properties in the area.
What to do if you think your valuation is incorrect
If you think your valuation is wrong or want to make any changes to your property details (such as floor area sizes and parking), you will need to set up or log in to a business rates valuation account.
While you can’t challenge your 2026 valuation until 1 April 2026, you can update the details the VOA has about your property or tell them if you think your valuation is wrong. You do this by raising a Check against your current valuation using your business rates valuation account.
Any changes made to your current valuation could result in your rateable value going up or down. This may also affect your future valuation from 1 April 2026.
You have until 31 March 2026 to request any changes to your current rateable value using your business rates valuation account. After 1 April 2026 you will only be able to make changes to your new valuation.
Working with a business rates agent
You can manage your business rates yourself. If you want to appoint an agent, the VOA has published information on how to choose a business rates agent.
If you want to authorise an agent to act on your behalf, you can appoint one using a business rates valuation account.
Get more information on everything you need to know about this revaluation on the VOA’s website.